Wildlife Photography Guide: Capturing Bears & Leopards, RAPSafari- Australia

For Australian travellers who love the thrill of wilderness, the joy of photography, and the pursuit of rare animal encounters, India offers an extraordinary wildlife photography experience that is different from others. Beyond the iconic lions and tigers of India, there exists an equally captivating trio- sloth bears that lumber through the sal forests silently, leopards that vanish into dappled light and peacocks that burst into dazzling colours. Each creature invites wildlife photographers into a world where patience rewards you and every frame becomes a story worth telling!

If you are seeking to venture into an unfamiliar territory or searching for a new perspective and a deeper story to tell through your lens, then India’s Wildlife Photography Safaris are an experience waiting to be captured. 

The Art and Challenge of Photographing Sloth Bears

The sloth bear, with its shaggy coat, playful stride and long snout, is unlike any other species on the planet. Mostly nocturnal and extremely shy, the sloth bear requires patience, attention, and anticipation as core components of the wildlife photography skillset. In the dense forests of Satpura and Ranthambore in India, photographers can see sloth bears dusting termites out of mounds, foraging with cubs on their backs, and even walking around in open meadows. These short display windows allow for documenting sloth bear behaviours that are difficult to find anywhere else.

For Australian explorers used to shooting expansive landscapes, photographing the sloth bear is a different kind of challenge, one that involves adjusting to lower light, interpreting movement deep within a forest, and embracing the unpredictability of India’s jungles.  

Leopards: The Master of Stealth

As mysterious, graceful, and powerful as it gets, the Indian leopard may be the perfect animal to capture. Unlike lion and cheetah images you often see from the African savannah, the Indian leopard lives in steep hills, dense jungles, and ancient ruins to warrant the reward of every sighting. Locations like Jawai, known as India’s leopard hills, are a stunning backdrop. With granite boulders, colourful sunsets, and quiet valleys, they provide a cinematic landscape for our wildlife photography safaris. As a photographer, you will need to be adaptable; leopards are silent, sudden, and blend into their surroundings well. 

For Australian travelers who are ardent about unique photographic experiences, capitalising on the leopard simply sitting on a rock, walking across a valley at dusk, or lounging on a crumbling temple wall will surely stay with them forever. 

Peacocks: India’s Living Rainbows

While sloth bears and leopards have a knack for hiding, the peacock of the Indian subcontinent will demand all your attention to their colourful feathers and royal presence. Of course, peacocks aren’t the easiest of birds to photograph; they fly away quickly, may or may not display their feathers, and their beautiful radiance is affected by the angle of light.

All of the parks in India, but particularly Ranthambore National Park, present wonderful opportunities to capture the peacock gracefully dancing in the rain during the monsoon season, silhouetted at sunrise, or having a leisurely glide across the ruins of a royal palace. Truly, the peacock can be considered a piece of art among nature and can add a beautiful splash of elegance and colour to the deeper, gloomier tones of big mammal photography. I suggest all wildlife photographers have some peacock images in their portfolio.

Why India Is The Most Exciting Wildlife Photography Experience For Australians

Wildlife in India has to be seen to be believed; it is dramatic, diverse, and engages visitors in a totally immersive experience. Each national park has its own character, in terms of wildlife, landscapes and experiences; this truly allows wildlife photographers and media to experiment with composition, light, and visual storytelling. 

RAPSafaris in India invites you to explore this world on fully escorted, photography-focused wildlife journeys. These wildlife photography safaris are specially curated for travellers who value eco-sensitivity, sustainability and immersive exploration.